Modern leather facilities to boost jobs, quality, and sustainability in Ethiopia

UNIDO in partnership with the European Union and Ministry of Industry has recently inaugurated and handed over footwear and leather goods manufacturing facility, leather industry satellite laboratory in Mojo and modern slaughtering machines for abattoirs in Adama, Addis Ababa and Mojo cities to upgrade leather upstream value chain and employment creation.   

Funded by the European Union (EU), the project known as “Leather Initiative for Sustainable Employment Creation – LISEC’ was implemented by UNIDO focusing on improving the leather value chain development including better collection and processing of raw hides and skins, capacity building of tanneries for production quality and global competitiveness, inclusive investment in youth jobs creation through establishing common manufacturing facility and skills training as well as promoting occupational safety and health and women empowerment in the leather industry. 

Decent jobs

To unlock the employment potential of the leather sector, the project established a modern footwear and leather goods facility, fitted with state-of-the-art machines and tools as well as supplied by inputs. Over 72 (70% women) unemployed youth and women joined a dynamic group of youth-led small and medium manufacturing cluster and cooperative and received leather products, footwear and leather goods manufacturing skills – from professional trainers before they fully engaged in the production process. 

Satellite laboratory 

Modjo has long been the leather tanning hub of Ethiopia. To serve this sector better, A regional satellite laboratory was established and equipped under Leather and Leather Products Industry R&D Center, located within the Modjo TVET College. This facility brings physical and chemical testing services closer to the tanneries, supporting quality assurance and product competitiveness.

It also aligns with the future vision of the Modjo Leather Park—an eco-friendly, innovation-driven industrial zone, with ongoing feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, and a resettlement action plan.

International competitiveness

Meeting international standards has become increasingly mandatory for the export market. In line with this, 3 tanneries have been supported with capacity building training toward the preparation for Leather Working Group (LWG) audit and certification process. With this regard, our focused support to tanneries has borne fruit: LWG certification has been achieved, recognizing adherence to global environmental standards, which has already guided to market expansion for sustainable leather production. 

Child daycare 

This plant is not only a workplace—it is a model for excellence in job creation and child daycare, and a platform of opportunity. In the years ahead, we envision it as a beacon where many more young men and women will receive skills training, grow as entrepreneurs, and help shape a thriving future.

“Today marks not just the unveiling of facilities—but a celebration of partnership, vision, and a renewed commitment to the development of the leather industry,” said Aurelia Calabro, the Project Manager and Director of SPP of the Division of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at UNIDO Headquarters. Adding that “at the heart of this success lies unwavering cooperation and support from the Modjo City Administration, Ministry of Industry (LLPIRDC) and Ethiopian Enterprises Development.”